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The House of Independents grand opening kicked off at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a wide age-range of patrons filling the Cookman Avenue venue’s two floors.

The House of Independents brings together a mix of theatre, dance, film, comedy, oddities, late night fare, and of course the music that placed Asbury Park on the global radar. Owner Morgan Sackman has said the venue will provide a home for emerging and established artists.

New York-based punk band Murphy’s Law kicked things off with founding member Jimmy Gestapo entertaining the audience with his subversive wit and officially christening the stage and dance floor.

Headliner Fishbone, based in Los Angeles, raised the tempo with their American Ska, Funk, Punk, Rock and ‘Black Rock’ fusions.

“This is the jolt that Asbury Park needed,” one fan yelled as the mosh pit got underway.

“I’ve been a fan of theirs since 1986,” a 50-year-old local resident shouted.

The general admission space allowed everyone and everyone to traverse as close to the stage as they’d like. And as Gestapo pointed out – the security were kind and helpful.

Here are a few snapshots of the evening:

The House of Independents lineup includes:

Dec. 3 The Coney Island Circus Sideshow; tickets $20

Dec 4 Emily Kinney; tickets $20

Dec. 7 A John Waters Christmas: Holier & Dirtier; tickets $40

Dec 10 The Lone Bellow; tickets $30

Dec. 11 and 12 Henry Rollins; Sold out

Dec. 16-20 A Christmas Carol, The Musical; tickets $20

Asbury Fresh Winter Pop-up: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12 & 19

Jan. 09 Puddles Pity Party; tickets $30

Jan. 22 & 23 Junk: Urban Scuba

Feb. 13 Offseason: Winter words from the Jersey Shore with Chris Rockwell & James Dalton; tickets $20

New York’s avant-garde puppet theatre Lone Wolf Tribe [coming in 2016]

The Light of Day Foundation concerts [coming in 2016]

The Stress Factory comedic talent [coming in 2016]

Oddities direct from the iconic Asbury Lanes

For more information, visit their website or Facebook page. For rentals, booking, and technical advance, contact David J. Cruse at david@houseofindependents.com.

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